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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Kia Niro, a concept car unveiled at the
Frankfurt Motor Show, showcases a dramatic crossover design featuring
spectacular ‘butterfly’ doors and what the company describes as an "almost
counter-4x4 image".

Conceived at Kia
Motors’ Frankfurt design studio, just down the road from where the show was
being staged, under the director of Chief Designer Europe, Gregory Guillaume,
the Niro concept has been created as
a styling study to gauge public response for a potential future production
model. Its relatively compact dimensions are crafted onto an all-new platform
that will form the basis of future B-segment products from Kia - the platform
on which the current Rio is built.

It is clearly
making a tilt at the crossover market, but in a different way, according to
Guillaume: "Ten years ago people wanted understated style in the SUV
market, but increasingly as more people migrate to the B-segment they are
looking for strong character and individuality."

The most
eye-catching element in the Kia Niro
design are the dihedral ‘butterfly’ doors that open into the roof panel and
swing up high, with low-set flush handles.

Another unique
feature is the innovative 4x4 powertrain utilizing Kia’s turbocharged 1.6-litre
‘Gamma’ engine, developing 160hp through a 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
While the engine drives the front wheels, an electric-hybrid system, powered
from regenerative braking, delivers up to 45hp to the rear wheels when road
conditions require extra grip.

"It’s a very
exciting vehicle - packed with styling cues that mark it out as another great
Kia design, I’d love to see it go into production," says Todd McDonald,
General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.

Guillaume
suggests that Niro could be close to on-road reality - if the public wants it!

"As designers
we have to look at what the future could hold, not just what is probable, and
we believe drivers want excitement and new solutions from their vehicles,"
he says.

"It is clear
that the B-segment is growing as motorists seek to downsize but it is equally
clear that they refuse to give up individuality and distinctiveness - so Niro
explores one avenue to satisfy that desire.

"We would
love nothing more than to see all of our concept designs on the streets
tomorrow. As Kia looks to add to its range of small cars you have to look at
where the market opportunities exist and how we can exploit them. Perhaps Niro answers that challenge."

Created with
European tastes and expectations very much in mind, the Kia Niro blends a mix
of contrasting materials - including stainless steel - into compact, purposeful
dimensions. Muscular fenders rise up from the trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille,
etched in Limelight green aluminum and flanked by triangular LED headlamps,
while below the grille are two large, square LED driving lamps underscored by a
carbon fiber chin with lime accents. Carbon fibre and lime highlights also
feature on the lower rear section of the Niro, where the styling resembles that
of the Kia Sportage.

Even the
225/40R20 tyres, mounted on milled aluminium 20-inch five-spoke wheels, carry
the Limelight styling accent with a stripe etched into the tread.

The Niro’s high
beltline is contrasted by a stainless steel roof and then bisected by those
extraordinary ‘butterfly’ doors that lift up and out of the way to facilitate
easier entry and exit. The shiny steel-on-black theme continues into the 2+2
cabin, where the pair of bucket seats are joined by a common cushion that wraps
over the centre console. Other
interesting interior features include the rotary auto gearshift that is
incorporated into one of the support braces emerging from the centre console.
Limelight accents highlight the HVAC vents, shift paddles, instrument cluster
and the slimline, pop-up infotainment/navigation screen. Mounted directly onto
the side windows are milled "Plexiglas" door mirrors with in-built
downward-facing cameras that complement the rear-facing camera built into the
tailgate.

Currently Kia
Motors has not made final decisions on forthcoming B-segment products and there
are no plans for Niro to go into commercial production in the immediate future
- but the Niro’s appearance at Frankfurt is being used to gauge public opinion
and possible demand.